Bocce Ball Fall League Begins at Rock Island Public House September 12

Rock Island Public House pays homage to traditions of yesteryear to the delight of its loyal patrons, who embrace classic pinball machines, a coin-operated jukebox and craft beers, many of which owe their popularity to old fashion brewing styles.

So, it’s no surprise the Blue Island staple on Olde Western Avenue reaches back to 5200 B.C. for Bocce Ball, the ancient sport only now taking root in the American sports culture, or at least peaking in some areas.

The game was first documented in a 5200 B.C. painting of two boys playing, which was discovered in an Egyptian tomb by an English scientist, Sir Francis Petrial.

Today, it’s the popular choice taking hold on Tuesday nights outdoors behind the Rock Island Public House at 13328 Olde Western Avenue in Blue Island.

This year’s fall league follows the successful league competitions last summer and spring. Sign up is still available the Rock Island Public House’s fall #bocce league, which begins on September 12th at 6 p.m.

Register at: https://app.recrec.io/division...

Rock Island Public House - opened in 2013 by Jen and Dave Brown, as a testament to their love of their town - has been the creative couple’s outlet for a decade. Like every nod to the past, the two had a strong notion that Bocce Ball would please its patrons and draw new ones from beyond the South Suburbs.

“Tuesdays seem to be a night perfect for outdoor recreation,” said Jen Brown, who facilitates league play while husband Dave pours pints of brews carefully chosen from all around the Midwest. “With the beauty of fall evening weather, we expect this league to be more popular than ever.”

Bocce’s resurgence at destinations like Rock Island has been through tournament and league play. Tournaments are typically held weekly, some carrying large cash prizes. Bocce, now a part of the World Corporate Games, is an event in the Special Olympics and is being proposed for the Olympics.

According to historians, Bocce has seen many changes throughout the ages. It has evolved from being a crude sport played with rounded rocks, or even coconuts, to the modern game with composite or metal balls.

Bocce is known in some circles as: lawn bowling, nine pins, skittles, pentanque and carry a variety of local rules. In the US, play picked up as a California craze in 1989. Today, there’s an estimated 25,000,000 Bocce enthusiasts in the US who play recreationally, or play on structured courts like Rock Island’s outdoor court.

At Rock Island teams carry between 4 and 9 players. Ball are provided and officials tally scores.

Each player is given two balls (boccia). A player continues to roll their balls until they get closer than the opponent's ball. Players are awarded one point for each ball closer than the opponent's closest ball nearest to the pallino ball (the smallest ball - like a golf ball - which has already been thrown onto the field as a target).

September 12th, 2023 - October 17th, 2023

6 p.m. until – 10 p.m.

League Matches on Tuesdays

Rock Island Public House

13328 Old Western Ave

Blue Island, IL 60406

Cost is $320.00 per Team

Teams have 4-9 Players

Registration at https://app.recrec.io/division...